Refining a newbie 4.5 day itinerary in NYC

My wife and I (San Franciscans) will be traveling to NY for the first time, and trying to fit as much as we can in a relatively short stay. Here's our current itinerary - would really appreciate any suggestions! Thans so much.

EMP in 90 minutes is not doable, at all. I'm not sure how much they've changed up in the month or two since last visit, but from my experience, you would need an absolute minimum of 2.5, 3 hours. On a day when the dining room was half empty, a lunch that started off at an almost uncomfortably brisk pace wound up lasting 4.5 hours.

I agree that you can't do EMP in 90 minutes, you would not be able to relax and enjoy yourself. Lunch near the High Line, I 'd suggest Pastis. I would go to nearest diner(s) for your breakfasts as your lunch and dinners are relatively fancy and New York diners are fun, especially as you haven't been to New York

Two very very different restaurants. EMP is much more pampering and comfortable. They will work around any aversions or allergies or preferences. The service tries to anticipate your every need. Ko is a bit more austere with lots of wood, backless stools, eating at a counter but they also are relaxed and play rock n roll. Ko is also a shorter meal and there is no tweaking or substitutions.

Really it depends what you want. And what you can get into--remember that EMP tables become available 28 days in advance at 9 am Eastern. So 6am your time. Try OpenTable AND the phone.

That said, you don't have a rez at either, yet. So maybe (though us chowhounders usually discourage this sort of thing) make a Plan B rez at EMP in case you don't get the Ko rez. Normally, I'd say don't do that, it's not fair - but what with Ko's week-before rez policy, it makes it almost impossible to do it any other way if Ko is your first choice. Really wish they'd change to a month like every other resto.

It is amazing, the fact the I am referring to EMP as a "Plan B" - I know.

Yes, I was looking for Fridays for a 2-top. Other than the availability for this Monday (I'm dining at Ko on Monday anyway), there is no availability for a 2-top at EMP via OpenTable for an early dinner resy for the next 28 days--I just tried. I'll try again in a few weeks. It's been almost a year since I've had dinner at EMP, and I'd love to try the new format.

For Saturday breakfast, much will depend on what time you wish to dine, what neighborhood you wish to be in, and whether or not you will wait in line/require reservations. Also many places serve only weekend brunch (later start time).

I would also advise not eating near near the Theatre District during such a short trip unless you absolutely have to--are you seeing a show?

Pegu Club gets slammed later on Saturday night. It may be very loud, crowded, or you may have to wait outside on the sidewalk to get in. I'd go before dinner. Or check out Silver Lining, Ward 3, or Weather Up for cocktails before Jungsik.

Sunday morning be aware that R&D will likely have a bit of a wait, and it's takeout/counter service only. The only seats are outside on two benches.

For lunch, do ramen at Ippudo if you really must have ramen. Otherwise, Momofuku Ssam Bar is a better representation of David Chang's cooking.

For NYE breakfast, it really does depend WHERE in Central Park you are. Or eat near your hotel beforehand. I'd regularly steer you towards Barney Greengrass but they're closed Mondays typically.

Also you should have a backup plan in case you don't get into Ko. They take reservations six days (7 including the current day) in advance at 10 am ET.

Tuesday breakfast, see the links I posted above and do call to confirm that your choice will be open and serving New Year's Day. Same for lunch, some places may be on a brunch schedule that day.

The High Line has food vendors but I'm not sure they'll be out. There's also Chelsea Market nearby. Or walk to Spotted Pig, which will likely be serving brunch.

I love John's of Bleecker. Don't get more than one topping. Get the pie cooked well done. Don't expect a frou frou gourmet experience either. It is a delicious pie though.

For PDT, if you go after dinner, you may not get in without a reservation. Waits can be 2 hours, or never (they may not even get to your name on the list).

Tuesday lunch -- now that EMP is tasting menu only, you probably won't make it. Try lunch at the NoMad instead. They're in a hotel so likely you can check your bags there and easily grab a taxi to the airport.

For Saturday we are seeing Book of Mormon in the afternoon but we should have time to walk in bit in the morning. We intended to walk from Eventi in the Times Square / Theater District direction and was hoping there might be a solid must-eat on the way.

For NYE we're going to the American Natural History museum for the morning so somewhere around there would most likely be best, or around our hotel (Eventi).

Between the tips on EMP and Pegu/PDT, this could have totally saved my trip. You rock, thank you!

For Theater District, there are a number of great restaurants. My personal favorites are:

Don Antonio for some of the best Neapolitan pizza in the cityToloache for great MexicanYakitori Totto for Japanese grilled meats (mostly chicken offal)The Modern Bar Room for excellent Alsatian-French cuisineSzechuan Gourmet on 56th Street for delicious Sichuan-Chinese food (stick with the Sichuan specialties)

Saturday: maybe consider Ward III for cocktails, as it's closer to Jungsik than Pegu. Both will be mobbed on a Saturday night (as will every good cocktail bar) so it's best to have a backup plan, or go somewhere that takes rezzies if you can find one - make your rez for around midnight or so to give yourself time to relax during dinner.

Sunday: sound like a damn fine day of eating to me.

Monday: again, have a backup plan as you don't know if you'll get that Momo Ko rezzie. Make a rezzie somewhere else in the meantime - that's a SERIOUSLY in-demand night, so be ready on Nov 30 at 9AM to start calling around / hitting opentable.

Tuesday: Del Posto has a great lunch deal. A number of places down in that area as well - Barbuto, Colicchio & Sons (I prefer the Tap Room), maybe Morimoto. Again, with PDT, make sure to get that rezzie.

Wednesday: You will not have time for lunch at EMP at noon and to be in a cab by 1:30, unless you're dining a la carte at the bar, and even then you'll have to rush. I'd say do you EMP lunch on Monday, but EMP + Ko in one day might be a bit too much. Maybe do lunch at The NoMad instead (and make your rez earlier, at 11:00 or so, so you don't have to rush...)

Silver Lining, which is only a few blocks farther than Ward III, is never mobbed, and, probably because the staff isn't crushed, I think they make the best drinks and have the nicest bartenders in the city.